David Richardson gets support of South Florida LGBTQ group SAVE – Florida Politics (blog)

South Florida’s foremost LGBTQ community advocacy group, SAVE, has thrown its support behind Democratic state Rep. David Richardson in his run for Congress in Florida’s 27th Congressional District.

Richardson made history in 2012 when he became the first openly-gay person elected to the Florida House of Representatives, then also with the support of SAVE.

In a news release, the organization praised Richardson’s leadership within the Democratic Party and his ability to work across the aisle to produce results, specifically citing his efforts to the criminal justice system and push for gun control laws.

“This endorsement is the earliest SAVE has ever done, because Rep. Richardson is a true champion of equality and the ideal candidate to replace Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen,” Executive Director at SAVE Tony Lima stated in the release.

Richardson is entering an already crowded field.

“We’ve supported and stood behind Jose Javier Rodriguez and Bruno Barreiro during past elections and we respect their candidacies. However, Rep. Richardson has consistently advocated for the LGBTQ community and, just as importantly, he has been able to get policy passed even while in the minority party,” added Lima.

SAVE stated it already has begun planning fundraisers and organizing an army of volunteers to support Richardson in his historic bid for Congress.